Marathon Runners Who Did Not Finish Get a Second Chance with Degree Deodorant

Degree, the world's #1 antiperspirant brand, aims for a world where everyone has the confidence to move more by smashing the barriers that hold them back – including self-doubt. In fact, self-doubt is a key factor that prevents people from finishing marathons. That is why Degree is introducing the Not Done Yet Marathon Team and giving them a second chance to run the 26.2 miles at the 2022 San Francisco Marathon on July 24th.

The Degree Not Done Yet Marathon Team is comprised of three inspiring everyday athletes from varying backgrounds who experienced challenges when previously running marathons, causing them to not complete their races:

• Sagirah Ahmed Norris (Houston, TX) – A Chicago native who started running as a coping method after losing her father, and was soon after diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Upon being told she would lose her ability to walk, Sagirah sought out an alternative treatment that has given her the ability to keep running. Unfortunately, a malfunction prevented her from completing her last marathon attempt. Sagirah is eager to run the San Francisco Marathon and inspire others to have the tenacity to keep pushing through their limits.
• Michael Zampella (Philadelphia, PA) – A New York native who suffers from a degenerative eye disease and was forced to leave his career as a public-school administrator after losing his vision. After powering through a unique set of training obstacles to ensure his ability to run his first marathon, an injury stopped him from reaching the finish line. Michael is excited to be running the San Francisco Marathon to prove what people with his disease can do.
• Ashley Zirkle (Seattle, WA) – A Florida native who was in search of ways to give back to her community and came across the story of a stranger who was in need of a lifesaving transplant. Ashley took this opportunity to donate her own kidney. She was forced to withdraw from her last marathon, after realising she needed more time to recover post-donor surgery. The San Francisco Marathon is Ashley's opportunity to show what can come from persevering through adversity.

To help amplify each of the Not Done Yet Marathon team member's unique stories, Degree has created individual pieces of video content which can be viewed on the brand's YouTube channel.

"We hope that the powerful stories of the Not Done Yet Marathon Team members will inspire more displays of courage and perseverance in movers of all ages," said Desi Okeke, director of Degree North America.

Degree tapped marathon runner, author, and television personality Tyler Cameron, to lead the team and serve as the Not Done Yet Team Trainer. In this role, Tyler will share personal tips from his own marathon experience with the runners to help motivate them and prepare for the race. Tyler will also be onsite day-of to celebrate their achievements.

"Finishing a marathon is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I've had," said Tyler. "Running has helped me through tough times in my life, despite feeling like I wanted to give up in those moments. Through my partnership with Degree and as the Not Done Yet Team Trainer, I hope to be able to encourage others to do the same – to keep moving and take one step at a time, regardless of what barriers are standing in their way."

To further the commitment to champions of movement and the campaign, the brand is supporting non-profit Achilles International, an organisation that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. Degree will be donating $50,000 to non-profit Achilles International to help up to 100 athletes get to the start of a running race.

"The generous donation from Degree Deodorant will empower more Achilles athletes with disabilities to get to the start line and achieve their race goals. Like Degree, we're committed to breaking down barriers to achievement," said Emily Glasser, president and CEO of Achilles International.

The brand is encouraging supporters to share personal stories of times they've embodied the‘Not Done Yet’ mindset in the comments section of the following brand partner's posts to help fuel the donation:

• Tyler Cameron, Television Personality & Author
• Ali Kreiger, Professional Soccer Player, National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) & United States Women's National Team (USWNT)
• Amy Purdy, Paralympic Snowboarder
• Ashlyn Harris, Professional Soccer Player, National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) & United States Women's National Team (USWNT)
• Blake Leeper, Paralympic Track and Field Athlete
• Sam Mewis, Professional Soccer Player, National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) & United States Women's National Team (USWNT)

Additionally, Degree will select two commenters from across all brand partner posts who will be given the opportunity to meet Tyler Cameron via a 1:1 video call for a motivational chat and provided a year's supply of Degree product.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Degree Not Done Yet Marathon Team and sampling Degree products can visit the brand tent onsite at the 2022 San Francisco Marathon 'Finish Line Festival' located behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sunday, July 24th. Product available while supplies last. The Degree Not Yet Marathon Team is an official sponsor of the 2022 San Francisco Marathon.

The campaign is part of Degree's larger brand mission to inspire the confidence to break barriers. Degree has committed more than $5 million over the next five years to inspire more people to move beyond their limits as part of its broader global Breaking Limits program. This program supports those who face the biggest barriers to being active – whether those barriers are due to race, sexual orientation, ability level, gender, age and more - and provides them access to coaches and mentors, along with safe spaces to move. The program is meant to support the brand's long-term commitment to help millions of young people transform their lives through the power of movement by 2030.